Looking at purchase of a Gulf Coast Bay Boat. Shopping new and very recently used boats I find a number of Shallow Sport and Majek's for sale. Comparing prices the Majek's are more expensive for as close to comparable boats as is possible. Does anyone have any input as to the relative build quality in the two different makes that would account for the purchase price differential I am seeing? I know this opens a can of worms and may just be a 'Blue Car/Green Car' question.

Thanks for any explanation you can shed on this!

No input except they are all huge and heavy compared to my boat.

I am running a majek xtreme 22. Do you have a specific model that you are looking at?

We have only owned it for one year, and have been happy so far.

I can tell you about the transom, deck, stringers etc. on the xtreme, but not the other models of majek.

I think Majek is the hotter brand at the moment, so they are getting more for them. I am not sure it has much to do with build quality. I think both are very solid hulls.

Go for a ride in both brands in rough water....they all ride good in smooth water.......go take a plant tour and watch one being built........then you will answer your own question. The two brothers who owned Majek sold out a few years back but still work at the plant. Shallow Sport is owned by an Aggie. Both have used wood in their older models instead of being all composit.

Gunny456: Thanks you answered the question when you said 'owned by an Aggie', that is the factor that tipped the scales for me, Shallow Sport it is!

There is apparently a newish company called Tipton Boats out of Port Lavaca.

Saw them while we were in Venice.

All composite = very heavy and surprisingly less puncture resistant as well.

Properly protected from water penetration, high quality wood is a superb core material.

Not true at all...the company I worked for saved over 600 lbs. on their 20 foot model going to excel composites. They then used the weight savings to be able and increase their lamination schedule.....which means more layers of fiberglass to increase durability and toughness from impacts.......without adding weight. The only core material still used as wood in boats is a balsa core and due to advances in composite graphite's and Kevlar that is becoming a rarity.

His name is Wes Hudson and his wife is Kyra.......both have Aggie rings. Good folks.

I have owned a Majek RFL, 18ft powered by a 115 v. Unbelievably solid boat. Sold it because I was not using it enough to justify the cost of maintenance, and my Dad had a 16 ft Flatlander that would do pretty well and it was at my disposal. I now own that boat, since dad gave it to me before passing. Good boat, but not as "solid" IE gunnel flex in rough choppy water. Re-propped and added a Shaw Wing and it will run on plane slower in the shallows than my old RFL. Powered by a 90hp Yamaha 2 stroke (like the power to weight ratio in the back water.

That being said, I am very intrigued about the Coastal Custom Boats Phoenix XL for my next boat. Interesting composite grid style stringers from what I understand, and look well built and pretty light for a 19ft boat. From what I gather, the folks that own them REALLY like them, and the cost vs Majek or Shallow Sport is a break on the wallet.